Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about road trips. 2020 is definitely the year of the road trip, but we’ve always loved road trips both at home and abroad. We’ve had some great road trips all over the world. Whether you are traveling with friends or family, taking a weekend getaway, or a cross-country road trip, these road trip tips include the things you should NOT do on a road trip.
Don’t Worry About a Late Start
Many people start a road trip already stressed out about getting on the road late. Go easy on yourself and don’t stress about getting an early start. The best part of a road trip is an open timetable. There’s no plane to catch, so take it easy!
Don’t Rely Solely on GPS
GPS is a game-changer for road trips, and they can definitely make your trip easier. But don’t rely solely on your GPS! Take a look at a road atlas before you leave to figure out your approximate route. Not only will this help you if your GPS malfunctions for some reason, but you might also see some interesting sites along the way. GPS is made to get you quickly from Point A to Point B, but there might be some really cool things lurking just a few miles off the interstate. Don’t be afraid to get off the interstate!
Pre-trip route planning can also help you avoid hitting major cities at rush hour. Rather than spending an extra hour sitting in traffic, you can spend an hour at a roadside attraction and wait until rush hour is over to pass through.
Don’t Skip the Roadside Attractions
Another reason to be lenient with your schedule is to allow time for all of the fun roadside attractions along the way. There are quirky museums all over the country, as well as scenic overlooks, parks, and hikes to be taken along the way. Don’t be so focused on the destination that you totally miss out on cool things on your journey. You’re going to have to stop for bathroom and food breaks, so why not incorporate some sightseeing into those breaks?
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About the Family Road Trip
Don’t Start With a Dirty Car
Yes, your car will get messy on a road trip, especially a family road trip with kids. But starting out with a dirty car will only stress you out further. It’s nice to have a clean car, both inside and out, to start your journey.
Don’t Forget to Get a Tune-Up
Before your road trip, take it in for an oil change, tire rotation, and a top-up of any fluids. Have them check that your spare tire is properly inflated. They might catch something that could save you from having an accident down the road. It can also save you time from having to deal with any car issues during your vacation. AAA roadside assistance is great; if you have a flat tire, lockout, or empty gas tank, they will come to your rescue.
Don’t Miss Out on Local Food Joints
Every exit will have a McDonald’s, Wendy’s or Subway, but look for something that’s unique to the region. This doesn’t have to mean going to a sit-down restaurant; there are plenty of regional fast-food chains to check out. We like to hit up a Bojangles when we’re traveling in the south. In Texas, it’s Whataburger and on the West Coast, everyone flocks to In-N-Out.
Don’t Overdo It
If you have more than one driver in your party, make sure you take turns driving throughout the trip. This gives everyone a chance to rest, and ensure the driver is always alert and awake. If there’s just one driver, allow yourself plenty of time and don’t push yourself to drive 600 miles in a day. If you’re getting tired, pull over and get a hotel room. You can continue your journey more safely in the morning after a good night’s rest.
Don’t over plan your trip, either. Give yourself the flexibility to stop along the way if you get tired, or if something sparks your interest. We arrived almost a full day late on our last road trip, but we had so much fun along the way; it was totally worth it.
Don’t Wait to Fill Up
Depending on where you are road tripping, it’s always a good idea to top off your gas as often as possible. You never know when the next gas station will be, especially in states with a lot of wide-open spaces, like Wyoming or Nebraska. We like to fill up at night when we stop at a hotel, so that’s one less thing we have to worry about in the morning.
Don’t Forget These Road Trip Essentials
We love having a soft-sided cooler filled with drinks in the back seat. Everyone can help themselves to cold beverages without having to stop. We freeze a couple of water bottles the night before and use them to keep the cooler cold. We also recommend having some kind of trash receptacle in the car.
Find more Road Trip Essentials
Don’t Forget About Road Trip Games
There are lots of fun games you can play on the road. Games will make the time go faster, and keep everyone from burying their heads in their phones and tablets. From the old-school license plate game or “I Spy” to modern BINGO cards you can print from the internet, be prepared with a few road trip games.
Don’t Forget the Rules of the Road
The best long-distance driving tips aren’t tips at all. These are the rules of the road and they are important both at home and on vacation!
- Don’t Text & Drive
- Don’t Cut off other drivers
- Don’t forget to use your turn signals
- Don’t drive in the left lane if you’re not passing
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
I hope these long-distance driving tips help you start planning a trip to the beach with your friends and family. If your beach trip runs smoothly, you’ll be more likely to start a tradition and take more beach trips! Do you have favorite destinations for beach getaways? Tell us about it in the comments! Looking for more travel tips? Check out some of our other blog posts: